FEATURED QUOTE
"THE MAN THAT SAYS IT
CANNOT BE DONE . . . . .
SHOULD NOT INTERRUPT
THE MAN THAT IS DOING IT"
-chinesse proverb

On The Radar
William Soul
songwriter, guitarist & arranger

Raynetta Smith

Photos by Marshall Latimore

Artwork by ill@DELphsouL

Artwork by Alex Kok

Artwork by Ryan Leary

Artwork by Philece. R

Lizz
Fields

This soulful songstress has been
declared "one of the brightest stars
on the horizon" by DJ Jazzy Jeff after
independently launching her career
in 2003, selling over 15k units of her
debut album. Ironically, Lizz's career
was haphazardly started.
"I wanted to try to create something
that I wanted to hear," says Fields. "It
was an experiment. After recording
my songs, I compiled and packaged
them into my debut album. Selling
over the internet was still very new
at that time, but proved to be the
perfect route. My career began then."

Wayne Robert Photography

Usoul: Where does Pleasureville's unique sound
come from?

Usoul: What has been some of the up and downs
of being a full-time musician?

LF: Live performances inspired my album
"Pleasureville." "ByDayByNight" gave me the
opportunity to perform with a band in front of
a crowd. The crowd and the band each are
integral in the development of an artist. The
band lays the foundation. The crowd shapes
the artist. You learn about yourself. I wanted
Pleasureville to integrate those elements that
fueled me on stage, guitar, live drums,
interesting harmonies, passion.

LF: I have to be honest, although, this may not
be popular... I can't claim that I'm a full-time
musician. My passion for life is expressed in my
music as well as in every aspect of my life, as
I am a teacher, a sister, auntie, neighbor and
more. In layman's terms, I have to live and
experience something in order to write or sing.
If it's all music, all the time, I'm uninspired. So,
with that said, wanting to write with nothing to
write can be a frustrating fete.

Usoul: I love the original album as well as the
remixes you have posted on myspace. What
prompted the creation of the remix cd?

Usoul: Are there any major label artists that you
would be interested in collaborating with?

LF: rePRODUCED began as a side project. I
wanted to release something between
PleasureVille and the next album (the one I'm
working on NOW!). I dug into my vault to find
vocals from ByDayByNight. Tristan mapped
things out. As we got into the thick of it, we
found ourselves completely enveloped in the
development of the music. It transformed from
just a mixtape to a musically-designed epic
journey. God-willing, the next album will be
released Summer 2010.

LF: Kanye maybe. I'm a gemini too! I think, we
could create something terribly interesting!
Usoul: What can we expect from Lizz Fields in the
next 5 years?
LF: It's too soon to say. Like, I said, I'm a gemini!
Ya just never know. LOL!! I will continue to share
information and ideas for as long as I live,
however I can. That's what this is about. I'm
speaking to whoever is listening.
http://myspace.com/misslizzfields

Sherry
Amour

Sherry Amour's journey with
music began at the age of seven
when she sang her first solo at
a Christmas play. Encouraged by
her parents to take vocal lessons
to broaden her skills, Sherry was
challenged to learn how to sing
classical music and Broadway
show tunes. These experiences
all helped to develop this sultry
and soulful singer.

http://www.sherryamourmusic.com/

CHICAGOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S INFLUENCE

SA: Since Chicago has bred a lot of our blues
and soul artists, I can now see why I have been
drawn to R&B soul music. For instance, Ms.
Chaka Khan, is from Chicago, and the imprint
she has made on the industry has been one of
the instrumental reasons why I enjoy listening
and studying music.

MY SOUND

SA: As a child, I enjoyed the art of story telling, so
in essence, with my sound I have incorporated
this art form, which sometimes is lost in R&B
music. Because I come from a spiritual background, I have been grounded to walk in love
and to never pass judgment on others. Since
this is a part of who I am as a person, it shines
through my music as well. To say the least, with
my music and my sound I strive to relate all that
I am through my overall artistic expression.

MUSICAL IMPACT

SA: I honestly would hope to influence my listeners
to reflect on the concept and lyrics of the song. A
great story, whether it be a sad traumatic song or
a happy love song, is always therapeutic to listen
and relate to. We all desire to be connected with
one another and music is the vehicle to do so.

Blog Style
MUSIC GENRE

SA: If I had to pick a genre for my music it would be
R&B or Neo-Soul Music. This genre of music is what
flows naturally from my heart.

THE NEXT STEP

SA: The next step, besides releasing my upcoming
full length album,would be more opportunities to
travel and share my gift of music. I also desire to
continuously understand and grow with my
instrument.

DREAM COLLABOS

SA: I would love to work with Mr. Quincy Jones! He is
an awesome producer! I also would love to work
with Ne-yo, who is an awesome writer. Ms. Jill Scott
is someone I would definitely like to work with.

MY ADVICE

SA: The advice I often share with aspiring artists is:
"Not to buy into the hype of this industry. Challenge
your own reality.â&#x20AC;? I say that because many times
we as artists fail to realize that there is more to being
an artist than just getting up on a stage looking fly
and singing a song. With an artist challenging their
own reality, they are forced to look at themselves
in the mirror to see who they really are!

"Goals...I want a
Grammy this year
or next." -TJ
photo by phil tography

the eklectic

Teresa
JeNee

When you think of music that comes
from STL, be prepared to "think again"
thanks to Teresa Jenee.

Interview by Johnny Johnson

Her new album "The Eklectic" is raising
eyebrows around the music industry
and although we can't quite categorize
her sound, we can assure you that
Teresa Jenee refreshingly soulful and
innovative!

Usoul: Can you talk a little bit about how you got into
music?
TJ: Music got into me actually! I had no choice.
Both of my parents were singers; mother was a
lead for a 70s soul band and studied music
education in school and my father was a soloist
and guitarist at his church.
Usoul: Your sound is very fresh and unique. Do you
do your own production?
TJ:Yes, I do produce my own records. However, I
don't own any fancy equipment so I'll compose a
song on my piano at home, then bring it to a
studio and create there. For "The Eklectic," I went
another route. I enlisted contributions from outside
producers. I don't believe in having one continuous
sound for a whole album. I'm kind of particular in
that way.
Usoul: I love your EP. My favorite songs are The light,
Break My Ht, and Sunday. What inspires your sound?
TJ:Gospel and Soft Rock! Seriously, I was raised in a
strict Christian home. The only thing I could listen to

was the Gospel and Soft Rock stations. Momma
would turn it on in our room when it was time for
me and my sister to go to bed. The soft rock
station was especially calming.
Usoul: Are you originally from STL? How has STL
impacted you as an artist?
TJ: Yes! I am a native of Saint Louis, Missouri.
However, I can't say that my city inspired my
sound as much. Again, I was musically
sheltered to a degree. I didn't hear a lot of
what was going on in the streets until I got to
high school. So over the years, I spent a lot of
time studying worldly music and genres that
aren't given much attention in STL. I ended up
being molded moreso by sounds from across
the pond rather than in my own backyard.
Usoul: What are some of your immediate music
goals?
TJ: Goals...I want a Grammy this year or next.
To be an established pen in the industry would
be nice as well. But mostly, I want to reap from
what I've sown...I want my music to sustain me
and my family.

http://teresajenee.bandcamp.com

jDavey
jack davey / brook d'leau

http://jdaveybaby.com
interview by Johnny Johnson

Usoul: Do you'll feel like JDavey is the next big act
to come out of LA, or a part of a LA music movement that will hit soon?
Brook: I think it's definitely a little bit of both. As
much as we feel that we are a large part of
what coming out of LA, we are still connected
to so many people doing such great music out
here. So to answer your question, yes we are
apart of a big movement and we are a
reason why LA would be important.
Usoul: Brook, I noticed that you play keys during the
performances, what other types of technology do
you work with when producing.
Brook: I use Ableton alot, some native instruments,
synth and drum programs, live instruments on
occasion. I don't really do alot of sampling.
Sometimes I sample, but I usually end up creating
the type of sound that I want to hear with the
resources that I have. It's a very simple setup to
be honest, I just take those programs as far as I
can.
Usoul: What has been JDavey's biggest obstacle?
Jack: Just being apart of the major label system.
When you see a girl/guy duo and the girl is the
lead singer, the first thing a record company tries
to do is divide and conquer. As a female they
tell you "you don't need this guy, we can put you
with this producer" or "don't you want to be like..."
and they will start naming all the major female

Rock, Pop, Soul, Funk, R&B?? These
are just a few of the genres that
come to mind while listening to a
JDavey record. This dynamic duo has
managed to fuse together a variety of
genres while creating a sound yet to
be categorized. Nonetheless anyone
with an ear for good music will agree
that regardless of the category,
JDAVEY's music is undoubtedly DOPE!
artists. They say things like, "you don't need your
partner anymore, you guys don't know what your
sound is yet and why do you come off with us and
leave this guy behind and create a sound with
us." Although it isn't difficult for us, our biggest
obstacle has been sticking together in a major
label system.
Usoul: Has technology hurt or helped JDavey?
Jack: It's definitely helped us. The only reason
we have a major label deal is because we
had a great internet presence. The only reason
we have fans is because of our myspace page.
That is where it all started for us. Even though
we are signed to a major, the internet gives us
freedom to live in the underground world.
Usoul: Do you'll have a release date for the new
album?
Jack: We didn't want to be locked down to
a release date because the industry doesn't
work like that anymore. Nowdays, people are
releasing content daily and building a buzz, or
releasing based off a buzz they've created.
We have worked on an amazing project for
Warner Brothers that will see the light of day
come spring or the summer of this year. So
don't worry about the release date, just know
that it's coming and that it's going to be great.